Kent Police to move Deal front counter services to town centre

02 Nov 2018

Kent Police is set to move its public front counter services in Deal to the town centre, doubling the opening hours.

Subject to planning permission, a new public enquiries desk will be opened within Deal Town Council’s offices. Whereas Kent Police’s existing front counter in London Road is only open two hours a day, the new front counter in the middle of the High Street is due to be open four hours a day.

Announcing the move, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent Matthew Scott said:

‘Relocating the front counter to Deal High Street will provide a more efficient and accessible service for residents, while also meaning Kent Police no longer has an operational need for its London Road site. Selling the London Road site, as part of a wider plan to streamline our estate, will save us £52,000 a year in running costs.’

Welcoming the decision, Charlie Elphicke MP for Dover and Deal said:

‘Deal residents have been calling for more opportunities to speak face-to-face with police officers. That’s why I have been pressing for front counter opening hours to be increased. I am delighted the Commissioner has listened and that will now happen.’

The PCC has also approved the sale of buildings which are operationally obsolete in Leysdown Road, Leysdown; Wrotham Road, Meopham; Maidstone Road, Paddock Wood; and Edenbridge High Street.

Mr Scott added:

‘I have a duty to ensure all our buildings are fit for purpose, efficient and offer the best value for money for taxpayers. None of these other buildings are police stations and I have been assured local residents will see no change in the service they receive from Kent Police after the sites are sold.

‘This is about making savings without impacting on the frontline.’

Kent Police Deputy Chief Constable Tony Blaker said:

‘These buildings have not been operational policing bases for some years and by working closer with partners we are able to offer the public a more accessible service moving forward.

‘Our communities will not see any reduction in our presence and neighbourhood teams remain committed to serving their local communities to ensure that the public are supported.

‘In addition to the extended front counter opening hours within Deal Town Council’s offices, the introduction of online crime recording, local surgeries held by PCSOs and neighbourhood engagement meetings there are now more ways than ever to contact Kent Police.’

More information

Is it a police station? No, the building has not served as an operational police station for more than a decade. The town PCSOs who work at the office will in future be able to use the fire station in the High Street instead.

How much money will this save? Disposing of the site will save Kent Police around £22,500 a year in running costs. The money received from the sale of building will also be available in future to spend on policing.

How I can contact Kent Police in my area? To report a crime in progress dial 999. You can use 101 or Kent Police’s online reporting system if it is not an emergency. The nearest public front counter continues to be at Sevenoaks District Council offices in Argyle Road. It is open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays. There is also going to be a public enquiry phone which can be used to contact Kent Police for free at Edenbridge Fire Station.

Is it a police station? No, the building has not served as an operational police station since 2010. The town PCSOs who work at the office will in future be able to use the fire station in Maidstone Road instead.

How much money will this save? Disposing of the site will save Kent Police around £23,000 a year in running costs. The money received from the sale of building will also be available in future to spend on policing.

How I can contact Kent Police in my area? To report a crime in progress dial 999. You can use 101 or Kent Police’s online reporting system if it is not an emergency The nearest public front counter continues to be at Tonbridge Police Station in Pembury Road which is open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays. There is also going to be a public enquiry phone which can be used to contact Kent Police for free at Paddock Wood Fire Station.

Is it a police station? No, the building has not served as an operational police station since 2010.

How much money will this save? Disposing of the site will save Kent Police around £14,000 a year in running costs. The money received from the sale of building will also be available in future to spend on policing.

How I can contact Kent Police in my area? To report a crime in progress dial 999. You can use 101 or Kent Police’s online reporting system if it is not an emergency. The nearest public front counters continue to be at Gravesend Contact Point in the Civic Centre, and North Kent Police Station in Thames Way. Both are open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays.

Is it a police station? No, the building has never been an operational police station. It is only used on an ad-hoc rest area for staff through the summer.

How much money will this save? Disposing of the site will save Kent Police around £8,500 a year in running costs. The money received from the sale of building will also be available in future to spend on policing.

How I can contact Kent Police in my area? To report a crime in progress dial 999. You can use 101 or Kent Police’s online reporting system if it is not an emergency. The nearest public front counter continues to be at Sheerness Police Station in Millennium Way which is open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays.